Recognized need for more integration in scientific efforts/outputs across N-project, disciplines, and scales. Need a way to capture the contributions of various projects, and organize them in a way that stimulates coordination and communication between NBDC scientists.
Review of NBDC efforts in Fogera by Beth Cullen illustrated some issues with fragmentation between various research activities at the site, but also highlighted the rich data sets now available.
There are numerous ways to organize what has been done thus far. A framework was suggested that organized NBDC activities/data sets/tools into one of 3 categories: those which describe the current biophysical/socioeconomic situation in the Blue Nile basin, those that are designed to identify alternative states that are more beneficial/sustainable, and those that assess development processes which move more effectively from the current situation to 'better' target state(s). NBDC contributions seemed to fit fairly cleanly into these 3 categories. The group accepted the suggestion- and Randall is to populate the framework ahead of the next meeting.
Current 'key messages' are heavily development-process oriented. More needs to be done to provide inputs and narratives from the technical aspects of the project, i.e. the 'Current State' and 'Target State(s)' categories in the Framework.
There was some discussion about defining clearer 'end-points' for the NBDC: NBDC outputs/OLM's/work plans vs. future funding opportunities. Two high-potential funding opportunities were identified, and concept notes will be developed.
More detail described in presentation. Subsequent action points contained in last slide.
10 April, 2013
Context and intent of meeting described in presentation. Main focus of meeting was to review content of populated Development Pathways Framework as a means to initiate synthesis discussions. Based on meeting discussions, some revisions to the elements in the Framework were necessary.
Development Pathways Framework populated with NBDC activities/data sets/tools (revised after 10 April meeting). This is a working document- please send revisions to Randall (R.Ritzema@cgiar.org).
Inputs to this conversation:
NBDC targeting extension (the concept note that was developed last year by Charlotte, Lisa and An – mainly as a follow up on the targeting-impact assessment interaction, but with a vision of integrating what was coming out of the local IPs. There might be scope to integrate the idea of the site-level modeling; and we could definitely draw on some of the tools. I have for now just attached it the way we thought about it last year).
Inputs to this conversation: